Best BJJ Fanatics Leg Lock Defense Instructionals (Ranked)

The most recommended pure leg lock defense instructional in BJJ. Craig Jones teaches a concept-first system with three defensive stages (prevention, damage control, grip fighting) that covers every ashi garami position with practical, competition-tested principles.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced (blue belt+)
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Pure Defense)

What It Covers

Volume 1 introduces the “double trouble” principle for situations where both legs are entangled, covering outside slips, height exploitation, and hand fighting. Volume 2 focuses on defending a fully locked leg lock from deep cross ashi garami, teaching how to render saddle attacks useless. Volume 3 covers defeating the double trouble position, countering the Cummings trap, and inverted cross-ashi defense. Volume 4 (the longest) is dedicated to early-stage defense against cross ashi entries, backstep counters, and kani basami defense, with roughly 75% focused on the 50/50 position. Volume 5 covers all non-cross-ashi positions: straight ashi, split squat ashi, seated ashi, and standing ashi (roughly 10 minutes each). Volume 6 teaches entry prevention through stance, foot positioning, and leg pummeling.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Three-stage defense framework (prevention, damage control, grip fighting) provides principles that work across all positions rather than position-specific memorization
• Deep cross ashi/saddle coverage spans two full volumes – critical since the saddle is where most heel hook finishes happen in competition
• Includes counter-strategies to established systems, specifically addressing counters to Lachlan Giles’ leg lock approaches
• ADCC silver medalist and co-founder of B-Team – considered one of the best leg lockers in competition history

What the Community Says

“One of the most comprehensive No-Gi leg lock defense instructionals” with a focus on making “that leg lock not work” rather than simply escaping

Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8/10 rating)

“The most complete and best explained instructional you can get” for leg lock defense

BJJMore review

“Understanding leg lock defense rests in understanding two key aspects – you need to deal with the braking threat and the Ashi Garami”

BJJ World analysis

Weakness

Volume 5 gives only about 10 minutes each to non-cross-ashi positions, while Bodoni’s Survive and Escape provides more balanced coverage across all ashi variations. There’s also almost no ankle lock or kneebar-specific defense content – Gordon Ryan’s Pillars of Defense handles those submissions more thoroughly. At $149 full price, you should wait for a BJJ Fanatics sale to get reasonable value.

My Recommendation

Best for: Blue-to-black belt grapplers who face heel hook threats regularly and want a concept-first defensive system rather than a catalog of position-specific escapes. Particularly strong for anyone who gets caught in cross ashi/saddle frequently.

Avoid if: You’re a complete beginner to leg locks (you won’t understand the terminology), you specifically need ankle lock or kneebar defense (try Bodoni), or you want counter-attacking options rather than pure defense (try Crelinsten).

Pairs with: Leg Lock Counters by Ethan Crelinsten for the counter-attacking dimension Craig doesn’t cover, or Pillars of Defense by Gordon Ryan for the encyclopedic reference that complements Craig’s concept-first approach.

The most comprehensive leg lock defense instructional ever published. 10 volumes systematically covering every ashi garami variation with escapes and counter locks, from the grappler who has never been submitted in major competition.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 6+ hours across 10 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced (purple belt+)
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Encyclopedia)

What It Covers

Volumes 1 through 10 systematically address each ashi garami variation: irimi ashi garami, outside ashi, top ushiro, cross ashi (saddle/honey hole), 50/50, mutual ashi, and inside ashi garami. For each position, Ryan covers specific escape sequences, heel slip techniques, counter locks from defensive positions, and transitions from defense to offense. The system also covers achilles lock escapes, toe hold defense, kneebar defense, and both inside and outside heel hook escapes – making it the only instructional that addresses every major leg lock submission type.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Most exhaustive catalog of leg lock defenses available anywhere – covers every ashi garami variation and every submission type (heel hooks, kneebars, toe holds, achilles locks)
• Ryan has never been submitted in major competition – the techniques are proven at the absolute highest level
• Includes counter-attacks and defensive-to-offensive cycles, not just passive escapes
• Companion instructionals available: Leg Locks to Back Takes (8 parts) and Leg Locks to Guard Passing (8 parts) expand the counter-attacking options

What the Community Says

“Precise, sequence-driven, and competition-tested teaching” with “heavy coverage of positional nuance”

BJJMore review

“Best for students comfortable with long-form study”

BJJMore review

Weakness

At 10 volumes for purely defensive content, many find this set slow-paced and overly detailed for practical use. Craig Jones covers similar ground in 6 volumes with a more concept-first approach that some find easier to digest and apply. The instructional also requires existing leg lock knowledge – beginners who don’t understand ashi garami positions will be lost. Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Anthology covers both offense AND defense at roughly $77, making it significantly better value if you need both sides.

My Recommendation

Best for: Dedicated students (purple belt and above) who want the definitive reference on leg lock defense. Particularly strong for competitors who face different leg lock systems regularly and need position-specific answers for every scenario.

Avoid if: You want a concise, principle-based approach (try Craig Jones), you’re a beginner (try Bodoni’s Survive and Escape), or you need both offense and defense at a good price point (try Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Anthology).

Pairs with: Leg Locks to Back Takes and Leg Locks to Guard Passing (also by Gordon Ryan) for the complete defensive-to-offensive system, or Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones for the concept-first principles that make Ryan’s details easier to organize mentally.

The highest-rated leg lock defense instructional on BJJ World (9/10). Not escape-focused – Crelinsten teaches you to counter-attack: back takes from 50/50, guard passes from ashi garami, and counter submissions from every common leg lock position. Danaher lineage with B-Team innovation.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 3+ hours across 4 volumes (Vol 1: ~60 min, Vol 2: ~60 min, Vol 3: ~50 min, Vol 4: ~20 min)
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Counter-Attacking)

What It Covers

Volume 1 covers back takes from leg lock positions: entries from 50/50 (both top and bottom), counters to outside ashi, and defensive responses to elevation and inversion attacks. Volume 2 teaches guard passing from ashi garami: the ashi smash and high step from straight ashi, smash/double underpass/turk from outside ashi, smash/crab ride/movement-based passes from cross ashi, and 50/50 passing. Volume 3 covers counter submissions: backside 50/50 transitions, reverse figure four finishes, hip flip submissions, and counter-attacking submission chains. Volume 4 distills core concepts: the hip/knee relationship in ashi garami, keeping feet together to prevent deep control, and dividing the opponent’s attention between multiple threats.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Filip Zanki at BJJ World rated it 9/10 with 10/10 for technical quality – the highest rating for any leg lock defense instructional
• Unique counter-attacking approach: turns leg lock positions into back takes, guard passes, and counter submissions rather than just surviving
• Teaching style that Filip Zanki says “can make both Zahabi and Danaher jealous” – exceptionally clear instruction
• High information density: 3 hours covers more actionable material than many 6+ hour sets because there’s zero filler

What the Community Says

“Good, brief, and to the point” with “counters that flow nicely into passes and back takes”

Community feedback on BJJ World

“Recommended when asking for back-take counters vs leg locks”

Community discussion

Filip Zanki rated it 9/10 overall, noting the teaching style “can make both Zahabi and Danaher jealous”

Filip Zanki, BJJ World review

Weakness

This is not a pure defense instructional. If you’re completely caught in a deep heel hook and need to survive, Craig Jones’ Get Off My Legs Gringo teaches pure survival and escape more thoroughly. Crelinsten assumes you have enough positional awareness to counter-attack rather than just escape. Gordon Ryan’s Pillars of Defense covers both escape AND counter-attack comprehensively. At 3 hours, some want more depth on each position.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate-to-advanced grapplers who already know basic leg lock defense and want to turn defensive positions into scoring opportunities. Excellent for competitors who face leg lock specialists and need to win those exchanges rather than just survive them.

Avoid if: You’re getting caught in deep heel hooks regularly and need pure survival skills first (start with Craig Jones), or you want exhaustive position-by-position coverage (try Gordon Ryan).

Pairs with: Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones for the pure survival skills that complement Crelinsten’s counter-attacking approach – together they cover both sides of leg lock defense completely.

ADCC World Champion trained under John Danaher at New Wave BJJ. An 8-part defense system covering early and late stage defenses for every major leg lock: heel hooks, kneebars, toe holds, and achilles locks. Simpler structure than Gordon Ryan’s 10-volume approach while staying comprehensive.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 8 parts (estimated 4-6 hours)
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Blue belt to Black belt (all levels with some experience)
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Structured System)

What It Covers

Eight parts covering early and late stage defenses for all common leg lock attacks. The curriculum includes inside and outside heel hook defense, kneebar escapes, toe hold escapes, achilles lock escapes, 50/50 position dominance and escapes, and escaping leg entanglements. Bodoni teaches the “lines of defense” concept – understanding which defenses apply at each stage of a leg lock attack. The instruction also covers heel hiding technique, the “shoulder put down” defense, and systematic approaches to clearing entanglements.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Covers traditional leg locks (kneebars, toe holds, achilles locks) that Craig Jones’ Get Off My Legs Gringo largely skips
• ADCC champion credentials with real competition experience defending against world-class leg lockers at CJI and ADCC
• 8-part structure provides balanced coverage across all ashi positions without the overwhelming depth of Ryan’s 10 volumes
• Danaher training lineage means the same systematic approach as Ryan but with a simpler, more accessible teaching style

What the Community Says

“Best for anyone being tapped by heel hooks or kneebars and needing a system fast”

BJJMore review

“Simpler structure while staying comprehensive”

BJJMore review

Weakness

Less detailed than Gordon Ryan’s 10-volume Pillars series for advanced practitioners who need position-specific depth. Bodoni is also newer to teaching instructionals compared to Craig Jones or Gordon Ryan, so the teaching style may not be as polished or refined. Craig Jones’ Get Off My Legs Gringo has deeper coverage of cross ashi defense specifically, which is the position that matters most at higher levels.

My Recommendation

Best for: Blue-to-purple belt grapplers who get submitted by heel hooks or kneebars regularly and need a structured defense system without spending weeks studying 10+ volumes. Also strong for anyone who needs kneebar and toe hold defense, since Craig Jones barely covers those.

Avoid if: You’re an advanced competitor who needs the deepest possible coverage (try Gordon Ryan), you specifically need cross ashi/saddle defense in depth (try Craig Jones or Manasoiu), or you want counter-attacking options (try Crelinsten).

Pairs with: Countering Leglocks (also by Bodoni) for the counter-attacking dimension that complements this pure escape instruction, or Leg Lock Counters by Crelinsten for a different counter-attacking perspective.

Cheaper alternative: At roughly $30 on third-party sites, Bodoni’s set is already one of the most affordable options. Pair it with Crelinsten for a complete defense system under $70 total.

Laser-focused defense for the two most dangerous ashi positions. New Wave BJJ’s Dan Manasoiu covers cross ashi knee slips, late-stage heel hook defense, Aoki lock nullification, Z-lock defense, and optimal grip fighting – tested daily against Gordon Ryan and Danaher’s squad.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ Just under 2 hours across 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Specialist – Cross Ashi/50/50)

What It Covers

Volume 1 covers cross ashi knee slips for early escape from the saddle position. Volume 2 addresses late-stage cross ashi defenses when the opponent already has deep control, plus inside and outside heel hook defense, Aoki lock nullification, and Z-lock defense. Volume 3 covers leg lace defense, 50/50 leg lock defense, toe hold defenses, and inversions/bolo counters. Volume 4 teaches hand fighting for heel slip during late-stage defense, ashi bolo techniques, and optimal grips for escaping entanglements.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Aoki lock and Z-lock defense is niche content not well covered by any other instructional on this list
• Tested against the best leg lockers in the world daily at New Wave BJJ (Gordon Ryan, Danaher’s squad)
• Focused and efficient – covers the two most dangerous positions in under 2 hours rather than spreading across 10 volumes
• Late-stage hand fighting for heel slip is the most detailed treatment of emergency defense available

What the Community Says

“The big guy definitely knows what he is talking about, and he’s getting better by the day”

Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (7.5/10 rating)

“A very good source of information on dealing with a couple of the most dangerous Ashi positions”

BJJ World review

“The fact that he’s tested it all against the very best leg lockers in the world giving the DVD even more weight”

BJJ World review

Weakness

Only covers cross ashi and 50/50. If someone catches you in outside ashi, straight ashi, or any other position, you’ll need another instructional. Craig Jones covers all positions in Get Off My Legs Gringo. At under 2 hours, the depth per position is also limited compared to Gordon Ryan’s multi-volume treatment of the same positions. You’d need to pair this with other resources for complete coverage.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who specifically get caught in the saddle (cross ashi) or 50/50 and want focused, efficient instruction on those positions only. Also valuable for anyone who faces Aoki lock or Z-lock specialists and needs specific counters.

Avoid if: You need comprehensive defense across all ashi positions (try Craig Jones or Gordon Ryan), you’re a beginner (the instruction assumes leg lock familiarity), or you want counter-attacking options (try Crelinsten).

Pairs with: Leg Lock Defense: Survive and Escape by Bodoni for the non-cross-ashi positions Manasoiu doesn’t cover, creating a complete defense system between the two sets.

From the grappler who has faced elite leg lockers at four consecutive ADCC World Championships and proven nearly impossible to submit: a pressure-based defense system built around the signature ‘spring position’ and patient grip fighting. UFC and ADCC competition experience behind every technique.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ Multiple volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Battle-Tested)

What It Covers

Rocha covers single X guard escapes, X guard defense, honey hole (cross ashi) escapes, double outside ashi defense, 50/50 escapes, kneebar defense, toe hold defense, and heel hook defense. The centerpiece is his signature “spring position” – a defensive posture that creates safety while generating counter-attack opportunities. His defensive approach centers on patience, rolling toward the free leg, and punching the trapped leg deeper into the lock to keep it away from the attacker’s elbow.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The only instructor on this list who has medaled at ADCC and competed in the UFC – the techniques work under real pressure with real consequences
• The “spring position” is a unique defensive concept not taught anywhere else – a posture for creating both safety and counter-attack opportunities
• FloGrappling analysis confirms Rocha has “faced some of the best leg lock artists in grappling and proven incredibly difficult to slow down, let alone submit”
• Pressure-and-toughness-based approach prioritizes practical survival over technical elegance

What the Community Says

Rocha “has faced some of the best leg lock artists in grappling and proven incredibly difficult to slow down, let alone submit”

FloGrappling analysis

Rocha’s style represents “the idea that the best jiu-jitsu is done when you can make your opponent work harder than you to no benefit”

FloGrappling

Weakness

Less systematic and structured than Craig Jones’ or Gordon Ryan’s approaches. Rocha’s style relies heavily on pressure, toughness, and top-position dominance, which may not translate well to smaller or less athletic practitioners. Craig Jones’ Get Off My Legs Gringo is more concept-driven and universally applicable regardless of body type. Runtime and volume details are also unclear, making it harder to assess value compared to competitors.

My Recommendation

Best for: Larger, pressure-style grapplers who want defense that matches their existing game. Also valuable for competitors preparing for ADCC or sub-only events who need battle-tested techniques rather than theoretical systems.

Avoid if: You’re smaller and rely on technique over physicality (Craig Jones’ concepts apply more universally), you want a systematic curriculum with clear progression (try Gordon Ryan or Bodoni), or you need detailed runtime/pricing info before purchasing.

Pairs with: Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones for the concept-first approach that complements Rocha’s pressure-based methods – together they give you both technical and physical defensive tools.

Designed for all skill levels including beginners. Chase Davis focuses on exploiting specific weaknesses in common leg lock positions: outside ashi vulnerabilities, honey hole escape exploits, 50/50 defensive concepts, and counter-attacks that flow into leg drags, berimbolo back takes, and guard passes.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 4 volumes (estimated 3-4 hours)
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 All levels (including beginners)
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense (Beginner-Friendly)

What It Covers

Four volumes covering defensive concepts organized by position: weaknesses of outside ashi garami, honey hole (cross ashi) escape exploits, 50/50 defensive concepts, and heel hook shutdown techniques. Davis also teaches counter-attacks from defensive positions including leg drag counters from leg lock positions, De La Riva hook defense flowing into berimbolo back takes, and 50/50 counter techniques. The system is built around identifying and exploiting structural weaknesses in each leg lock position rather than memorizing specific escapes.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Most accessible entry point for beginners – specifically designed for “grapplers of any skill level” to learn defensive concepts
• Focuses on exploiting structural weaknesses in each ashi position rather than memorizing escapes, which builds transferable understanding
• Includes creative counter-attacks like berimbolo back takes from DLR hook defense that other defense instructionals don’t cover
• ATT Portland training background provides diverse technical perspective beyond the Danaher/New Wave lineage that dominates this list

What the Community Says

“Grapplers of any skill level can use simple defensive concepts to stop leg locking”

BJJ Fanatics product description

Weakness

Chase Davis is not as well-known or competition-tested as Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones, or even Bodoni at the ADCC level. Gordon Ryan’s Pillars of Defense provides much more exhaustive coverage of each position, and Craig Jones’ Get Off My Legs Gringo has stronger competition pedigree behind its techniques. The community discussion around this instructional is limited compared to the top-ranked options, making it harder to validate the teaching quality independently.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners to intermediate grapplers who want accessible leg lock defense instruction without needing to understand advanced terminology. Good for hobbyists who face leg locks occasionally and want simple, applicable concepts.

Avoid if: You’re an advanced competitor who needs ADCC-level defense (the competition pedigree doesn’t match the top 3), you want extensive community validation before buying (limited reviews available), or you already have a solid defensive foundation (you’ll outgrow this quickly).

Pairs with: Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones as the natural step up once you’ve built foundational defensive awareness with Davis’ beginner-friendly approach.

Not a dedicated defense instructional, but the most community-recommended overall leg lock resource. 10+ hours covering both offense AND defense at roughly $77 – with heel hook defense tips, 50/50 escapes, counter-leg-locking, and prevention counters taught by a PhD-level educator who submitted heavyweights at ADCC.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 10+ hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2020
• 🥋 No-Gi (principles apply to gi)
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Leg Locks (Offense + Defense Combined)

What It Covers

The defense-relevant content includes: heel hook defense tips that form the basis of counter-leg-locking, 50/50 escapes and sweeps, Giles’ signature counter-leg-locking game (defending by attacking back), prevention counters, and third-level thinking on countering the opponent’s defense. This is primarily an offensive instructional, but the defense sections teach how to defend against the very attacks the course teaches, creating a complete understanding of both sides.

What Makes It Stand Out

• PhD-level teaching ability makes complex leg lock concepts accessible to all levels – Colleric at BJJ World praised the “very precise and specific” systematization
• Understanding offense is the best defense: learning the attack system reveals exactly what to defend against and why
• 10+ hours at roughly $77 is the best value per hour of any instructional on this list
• Competition-proven at ADCC 2019 absolute division against much larger opponents – the counter-leg-locking game works against bigger, stronger grapplers

What the Community Says

“Very precise and specific” systematization

Colleric, BJJ World reviewer

“One of the best instructionals ever made” with “over 10 hours of useful material”

The Grappling Conjecture (blog)

Weakness

Defense is a secondary component, not the primary focus. If you specifically need to stop getting heel hooked, Craig Jones’ Get Off My Legs Gringo or Gordon Ryan’s Pillars of Defense provide much more focused defensive instruction. The defensive content alone doesn’t justify the price if pure defense is all you need. The instructional is also focused exclusively on 50/50 and inside heel hooks – for kneebar, outside heel hook, or ankle lock defense, you’ll need other resources.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who want to understand both sides of the leg lock game at an exceptional price point. Particularly strong for practitioners who believe (correctly) that understanding attacks improves defensive awareness.

Avoid if: You specifically need dedicated leg lock defense instruction and nothing else (the defense content is scattered throughout an offensive curriculum), or you need defense for positions beyond 50/50 and inside heel hooks.

Pairs with: Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones for the dedicated defense instruction that fills the gaps in Giles’ offense-first approach, or Milk the System by Manasoiu for specialist cross ashi defense.

Cheaper alternative: At roughly $77, this is already the best value on the list. No cheaper alternative offers both offense and defense at this depth.